Photos: Martial law in Bangkok

Bangkok woke up to horrific traffic as armed troops were stationed on many main roads across the city. The deployment of soldiers was part of the imposition of martial law announced on television at 3am today with the aim of “restoring peace and order” in this political-crisis-plagued kingdom. The traffic got better soon after the morning rush hour as major intersections were cleared.

Along the BTS lines, Coconuts counted many army officials standing guard under platforms with humvees parked nearby. To be fair, they weren’t very threatening and many Bangkokians approached them to take obligatory selfies.

In other areas near army offices, the atmosphere was quieter. On Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, we didn’t see a lot of normal cars on the street but we did spy many siren-mounted vehicles carrying high-ranking officials to the Royal Thai Army Club for the military meeting at 2pm.